Collapsible stretcher having removable bed section

ABSTRACT

A collapsible and portable stretcher having a breakdown rectangular frame and a flexible sheet forming a bed for the stretcher but removable therefrom. The flexible sheet has side flats which can be drawn and held together over the bed by way of hooks on one flap and cord-receiving members on the other flap, a cord being threaded through the cord-receiving members to form loops which are caught on the hooks, the cord then being drawn tight and snugged. The stretcher is rapidly disassembled and packed into a compact carrying pack formed from the bed itself and the removable flexible sheet can itself, without frame, be utilized for securing and carrying a patient.

United States Patent [72] Inventor John G. Bradford 56 St. MargaretsRoad, Ancaster, Ontario, Canada 211 AppLNo. 19,255

[22] Filed Mar. 13,1970

[45] Patented Aug.3l, 1971 (54] COLLAPSIBLE STRETCHER HAVING 4/1905 Lung5/82 Primary Examiner-Casmir A. Nunberg Attorney-Maybee & LegrisABSTRACT: A collapsible and portable stretcher having a breakdownrectangular frame and a flexible sheet forming a bed for the stretcherbut removable therefromjThe flexible sheet has side flats which can bedrawn and held together over the bed by way of hooks on one flap andcord-receiving members on the other flap, a cord being threaded throughthe cordreceiving members to form loops which are caught on the hooks,the cord then being drawn tight and snugged. The stretcher is rapidlydisassembled and packed into a compact carrying pack formed from the beditself and the removable flexible sheet can itself, without frame, beutilized for securing and carrying a patient.

PMENTEU was] 15m SHEET 1 UF 2 3,601; 824

2 22 24 iii 48 40 5s 5 lNVIiNl 0R.

JOH N G. BRADFORD ATTORNEYS PATENIED AUGB] IBTI SHEET 2 BF 2 FIGS FIG.4

ATTORN EYS COLLAPSIBLE STRETCl-IER HAVING REMOVABLE BED SECTIONBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There is a pressing need in the medical andmilitary fields for a light, easily assembled and disassembledcollapsible stretcher which is still rigid and strong enough fordemanding service. Furthermore, it would be most advantageous to havesuch a stretcher available which can be stored in a compact bundle inthe disassembled state and which can be easily carried by one person.Although collapsible stretchers are available which can be put intoservice and collapsed quite quickly, all suffer from at least one of thedisadvantages of being too heavy, too cumbersome in the disassembledstate, not compact and easily packed and transported in the collapsedstate, not rigid and strong enough when put in service or not easilymaneuverable or even usable in difficulty accessible areas.

In U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,060, dated Aug. 15, 1967, the present inventordescribes a collapsible stretcher having a takedown frame which islight, easily portable, rigid and strong. However, this stretcher has anumber of disadvantages. Thus, although it is readily disassembled intoa bundle of components, these components must be packed into a separatebag or container for carrying purposes. Loss of the carrying bag, suchas under battlefield conditions, could cause a problem with respect toportability of the stretcher and/or loss of one or more of thecomponents thereof. There is a further disadvantage in this prior artstretcher in the time required to secure the patient to the bed of thestretcher if such is necessary. Another problem resides in removal of aninjured person from difficulty accessible areas using this prior artstructure. Although it can be quickly assembled at any location, therecould be difficulty in removing the assembled, rigid structure with acasualty thereon from a difficult area. i

A portable and collapsible stretcher has now been devised whichovercomes problems encountered with prior art stretchers with respect toportability, rapid securing of a casualty and accessibility to and/orfrom difficult areas.

SUMMARY The collapsible and portable stretcher of the invention has arectangular, takedown frame comprising two end frame members, eachhaving a tubular connecting member subtended by and connected to ahousing member at each end, and two side frame members releasablyconnected to the housing members to form the frame. The side framemembers comprise at least two tubular sections releasably connected endto end. A flexible sheet is removably located on the frame and forms abed for the stretcher. The sheet has a central bed section locatedbetween the sides of the frame, two longitudinal sleeves through whichthe side frame members extend and two end flap members located over andattached to the tubular connecting members on the ends of the frame. Theflexible sheet also has two side flaps located along and outside eachlongitu dinal sleeve with hook fasteners along the edge ofone side flapand cord-receiving members along the edge of the outer side flap. Theflap with the cord-receiving members has a cord attached to one end withthe cord being threaded through the cord-receiving members to form loopportions between them. The loops engage with the hook fasteners when theside flaps are folded over the central bed section and a tightening andsecuring means on the stretcher is used to tighten and hold the cordwhen the loops have been engaged with the hook fasteners.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easilydisassembled collapsible stretcher which can be quickly stowed forcarrying purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strong but collapsiblestretcher with a removable bed portion which can itself be used as aflexible stretcher for use in difficulty accessible areas.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of acollapsible stretcher embodying the invention, shown with a portionthereof broken away,

. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a variation of an end flap ofthe stretcher taken through line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the stretcher shown in FIG. 1 with acasualty secured therein;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken through line 4-4 of FIG. 3 butwith side flaps of the stretcher retained underneath the bed portionthereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the stretcher shown in FIGS. 1 and 3disassembled and stowed, using the bed portion as a carrying casetherefor; and 1 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bed portion of thestretcher shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, removed from the frame and containinga casualty strapped therein.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of thecollapsible and portable stretcher device of the invention is shown inperspective in FIG. 1, fully assembled and ready to receive a casualtyor patient. The stretcher 10 has a rectangular, tubular frame 11 similarto that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,336,060, dated Aug. 15, 1967, ofthe present inventor. The frame 11 has two end frame members l2, l3 andtwo side frame members l4, l5 releasably engageable with the end members12, 13. Each of the end frame members l2, 13 comprises a tubularconnecting member l6, l7 subtended at each end by and connected tohousing members l8, 19 respectively. The side frame members 14, 15 aremade of at least two sections, three sections 20 being shown in FIG. 1,releasably connected together end to end. The side frame members 14, 15,the housing members 18, 19 and the connecting members 16, 17 assembledas shown in FIG. 1 make up the rectangular tubular frame 1 l for thestretcher 10.

The members of the frame 11 are advantageously constructed in a mannersimilar to the stretcher frame disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,336,060,aforementioned. Thus, the sections 20 of the side frame members arereleasably socketed together and are preferably connected to one anotherby flexible cord or chain members located in the ends of the sectionsand held in tension to allow the sections 20 of the side frame membersto be positively and quickly socketed together when the stretcher isbeing assembled. The tubular connecting members l6, 17, which aresubtended by the housing members 18, 19 to form the end frame membersl2, 13, may be releasably connected to the housing members l8, 19,although as described hereinafter, the end frame members areadvantageously left fully assembled when disassembling and stowing thestretcher for carrying by one person. As shown in FIG. 1, the housingmembers 18, 19 have inwardly projecting tube members 21, 22 respectivelywhich provide connecting members for the side frame members 14, 15.Thus, the tubes 21 on the housing members 18 of the end frame member 12provide, for example, releasable socket connections for femaleconnecting ends on the side members 14,15 and the tubes 22 on thehousing members 19 of the end frame member 13 provide female connectingends for releasable socket connections on the other ends of the sidemembers 14, 15.

The housing members l8, 19 have outwardly projecting tubes 23, 24,opposite tubes 21, 22, which provide handle connections for thestretcher. Handle members 25 are advantageously releasably socketed intothe tubes 23, 24. When the stretcher is disassembled the handles 25,which are preferably inwardly attached to the tubes 23, 24 by flexiblechains or cords, can be removed from the tubes 23, 24 and foldedinwardly along the connecting members l6, 17. As shown in FIG. 1, thehousing members have tubular leg members 26 preferably releasablyattached thereto by way of downwardly projecting tubes on the housingmembers and socket portions 27 are located on the top of the housingmembers 18, 19 to receive vertical support members upon which anotherstretcher can be placed in bunk style.

A flexible sheet 28 forms a bed for the stretcher l and the sheet 28comprises a central bed section 29 located between the side framemembers l4, 15, a pair of longitudinal sleeves 30, 31 through which theside frame members 14, extend, two end flap members 32, 33 which arelocated over and attachable to the tubular connecting members 16, 17respectively, and two side flap members 34, 35 integral with and locatedalong and outside the longitudinal sleeves 30, 31 respectively. The sideflap 34 has a series of hook fasteners 36 located along the edge thereofand cord-receiving members, such as loops or grommets 37, as shown inFIG. 1, are located along the edge of the other side flap 35. A cordmember 38 is threaded through the grommets 37 shown in FIG. 1 and oneend of the cord 38 is attached at one end of the side flap 35.

Portions of the cord 38 between the grommets 37 can be pulled out toform loops 39 which are engageable with the hook fasteners 36 when theside flap members 34, 35 are folded over the central bed section 29. Atightening means 40 is attached to the stretcher and the other end ofthe cord member 38 is engageable therewith and the cord 38 is tightenedand then held by the tightening means 40 in order to hold the flapmembers 34, 35 tightly in folded position over the central bed section29.

Although the end flaps 32, 33 are shown in FIG. 1 as being merely drapedover the tubular connecting members 16, 17 respectively, the flaps 32,33 are attached to the connecting members 16, 17, such as by way ofattachment straps 41, 42, respectively which are integral with the flaps32, 33, perpendicular to the connecting members and are drawn throughand held by holding means located under and attached to the central bedsection 29, such as buckles 43. The arrangement of one of the flaps 32and the attachment strap 41 around the connecting member 16 and throughthe buckle 43 is clearly shown in FIG. 2 which is an enlarged sectionalview of an end portion of the stretcher taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.In FIG. 2 an alternative additional feature which may be associated withthe end flaps 32, 33 is shown in the form of a separate permanentlyclosed flap or loop member 44 attached to the end flap 32, with theconnecting member 16 being located therethrough. A similar loop membermay be located at the other end of the stretcher on the end flap 33.The'loop members 44 serve to keep the end frame members l2, 13 connectedto the flexible sheet 28 to prevent accidental displacement of an endframe member when the frame 1 1 is disassembled and stowed in the sheet28, as described hereinafter. The straps 41, 42 are shown broken awayunder the central bed section 29 in FIG. 1 but these straps areadvantageously one continuous strap running from end to end on theunderneath side of the sheet 28 and attached thereto along its fulllength, as partially shown in the broken away sectional view of FIG. 2.This continuous nature of the straps 41, 42 allows the central bedsection 29 to be tightened lengthwise by tightening the straps 41, 42 onthe buckles 43 while avoiding direct stress on the section 29 of thesheet 28.

Referring now to FIG. 3, taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, the stretcher10 of FIG. l is shown with a casualty or patient restrained therein. Thepatient is placed on the central bed section 29 and the side flapmembers 34, 35 are folded over the patient, the cord member 38 isloosened to allow the loops 39 to engage with the hook fasteners 36 andthe cord 38 is tightened and held by the tightening means 40, which isadvantageously a quick release device located on the side flap 35through which the cord 38 is drawn, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The endflap members 32, 33 are shown attached around the connecting members l6,17 respectively in FIG. 3. The patient is held firmly in position by wayof shoulder-restraining strap members 45 and foot-restraining strapmembers 46 attached to the upper side of the central bed section 29 atopposite ends thereof as shown in FIG. 1. The shoulder straps 45 areengageable with first fastening members such as buckles 47 located onand at one end of the side flap members 34, 35

and the foot straps 46 are engageable with second fastening members suchas buckles 48 located on and at the other end of the side flap members34, 35. In FIG. 3 the shoulder straps 45 are shown placed around theshoulders of the patient and tightened and cinched in the buckles 47 butthe foot straps 46 are shown merely stowed under the feet of thepatient. The straps 46 may be secured around the feet of the patient andthen tightened and cinched in the buckles 48. Advantageously, each ofthe straps 46 are looped around the sole of a foot of the patient andthen attached to an opposite one of the buckles 48. The shoulder straps45 are stowed when not in use byfeeding them through and around sideloops 49 (only one being shown in FIG. 1) and loop 50 locatedat thecenterline of the bed section 29. The foot straps 46 are stowed as shownin FIG. 3 by feeding them through and around side loops 51 and centerloop 52, one of the straps 46 being shown stowed in this manner in FIG.1.

Advantageously, two cross tightening straps 53 are attached to andlocated under the central bed section 29, as shown in FIG. 1, the straps53 being so located so as to take up slack in the sheet 28 above andbelow the hips of a person located in the stretcher. Carrying members orloops'54 are attached to the end flaps 32, 33 at each side thereof andare utilized for carrying the flexible sheet 28 removed from the frame11 with a person secured thereon as described hereinafter. A carryingstrap 56 is advantageously attached at one end of the flexible sheet 28to provide means for carrying the rolled up sheet with disassembledmembers of the frame 11 stowed therein. Furthermore, securing flaps 57,shown in FIG. I, are advantageously attached at one end of the flexiblesheet 28 with first fastening devices such as dome fasteners 58 thereonengaging with second fastening devices such as dome fasteners 59 locatedon the sheet 28. The flaps 57 and the fasteners 58, 59 as so placed toallow the flaps to close off the ends of the sheet 28 when rolled upwith the collapsed or disassembled members of the frame 11 stowedtherein as shown in FIG. 5. The carrying loops 54 subtend crosswisestrap attached to the end flap 32 but on the end flap 33 the loops 54are advantageously attached to the undersides of the flaps 57, as shownin FIG. 1 and in FIG. 6, referred to hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 4, instead of being folded and secured over aperson on the stretcher, as shown by broken lines 60, the side flaps 34,35 maybe folded under the central bed section 29 with the loops 39 inthe cord 38 being en gaged in the hook fasteners 36 and the cord 38 thenbeing drawn tightly. Advantageously, the side flaps 34, 35 are stowed inthis underneath position when the stretcher is disassembled and rolledup as shown in FIG. 5.

When disassembling and stowing the stretcher, referring to FIG. 1, theside flaps 34, 35 are secured under the central bed section 29, as shownin FIG. 4, the side frame members 14, 15 are released from the tubes 21,22 of the housing members l8, l9 and are drawn out of the longitudinalsleeves 30, 31. The sections 20 of the side frame members 14, 15 arethen unsocketed and folded upon each other. The handles 25 areunsocketed from the tubes 23, 24 on the housing members 18,

l9 and are folded against the connecting members l6, 17. The

straps 45, 46 are preferably stowed around the 'loops 49, 50 and theloops 51, 52 respectively. The sections 20 of the side members 14, 15are bundled against the connecting member 16 along with the handles 25at the end of the stretcher. The whole end frame member 12 is thenrolled with the sections 20 in the sheet member 28 towards the other endof the stretcher but with the sheet 28 turned over from the positionshown in FIG. 1. The whole end frame member 13 is rolled together withthe end frame member 12 and the sections 20 to form a bundle 61 as shownin FIG. 5 so that the flaps can be drawn around and close off the openends of the rolled sheet 28 with the frame members 11 stowed therein andso the dome fasteners 58 meet and engage with the dome fasteners 59(seen in FIG. 1). The bundle 61 can then be easily carried by one personby way of the carrying strap 56. The bundle is made more rigid and moreeasily packed by socketing the end frame members l2, 13 together by wayof tube members or spigots 21, 22. Assembling of the stretcher iscarried out by merely reversing the afore-described procedure.

It is to be noted that, if desired, the sleeves 30, 31 may be relievedby openings or notches to allow easy access to the sections 20 of theside members l4, l5 and in particular to allow access to the joinsbetween the sections 20 and permit separation of the sections 20 forseparate removal of each section if need be in close quarters. Suchopenings in the sleeves 30, 31 alternatively allow easy folding of theseparated sections 20 one upon the other while still in the sleeves 30,31 to permit portability of the stretcher in a compact state withoutremoval of the side members 14, from the sleeves 30, 31.

One of the main advantages of the stretcher device of the presentinvention is the feature of complete removability of the flexible sheet28 from the frame 1 1 and the use of the flexible sheet without frame asa flexible securing and supporting means for an injured person. Such afeature is, of course, most useful in removing people from close and/ordifficulty accessible quarters. Referring to FIG. 6, an injured or illperson is seen secured in the flexible sheet 28 with all members of theframe 11 (see FIG. 1) removed therefrom. In such case the disassembledstretcher stowed as shown in FIG. 5 is unrolled and the end framemembers 12, 13 are removed therefrom by unfastening the end flap members32, 33. The casualty is placed on the central bed section 29 of theflexible sheet 28 after the side flaps 34, 35 have been released andplaced each side of the central section 29. The side flaps 34, 35 arethen placed over the casualty and are secured by engaging the loops 39with the hooks 36, the cord 38 then being pulled tight and snugged. Theshoulder straps 45 are then placed around the casualtys shoulders andare tightened and secured in the buckles 47. The foot straps 46 are alsosecured around the feet of the casualty and any slack around the hips ofthe casualty is taken up by tightening'the straps 53, if desired. Thecasualty is then transported easily by two persons by way of thecarrying loops 54. The complete frame 11 of the stretcher is easilyplaced in position on the flexible sheet 28, when and if desired, byfeeding the assembled side frame members 14, 15 into the longitudinalsleeves 30, 31, socketing the side frame members 14, 15 together withthe end frame members l2, l3, securing the end flap members 32, 33 overthe connecting members 16, 17 and socketing the handles 25 into place onthe housing members 18, 19. The stretcher is thereby very quicklyassembled and ready for use.

it is to be noted that a further advantageous feature of the presentstretcher is its usability with a fracture board located on the bedsection with the patient then being secured as before with the sideflaps and the shoulder and foot straps.

It can be seen that the stretcher of the present invention isexceedingly versatile and can be used to reach inaccessible areas whilebeing carried in a compact bundle by one man. With a frame made fromextruded aluminum and a bed section fabricated of flexible, but strongand durable, plastic the stretcher is very light and yet strong andrigid. At the same time, the stretcher is easily and economicallyfabricated and is therefore quite inexpensive compared with stretchersof the prior art. Fabrication of the frame of the stretcher from a lightbut strong and durable plastic, such as polycarbonate plastic, furtherreduces the total weight of the stretcher. The complete removability ofthe bed section from the frame with separate use of this bed section asa litter in which to secure and carry a casualty is, of course, a mostattractive feature of the stretcher of the present invention.

What I claim: as my invention is:

l. A collapsible and portable stretcher device having a rectangulartubular frame with two end frame members and two side frame membersengageable with the end frame members. each of said end frame memberscomprising a tubular connecting member subtended at each end by ahousing member connected thereto, each of said side frame memberscomprising at least two tubular sections releasably connected end toend, said side frame members being releasably connected to said housingmembers to form said rectangular tubular frame, and a flexible sheetforming a bed for said stretcher, said sheet comprising a central bedsection located between said side frame members, a pair of longitudinalsleeves through which said side frame members extend, end flap memberslocated over and attached to said tubular connecting members in said endframe members, two side flap members integral with and locatedalong andoutside each of said longitudinal sleeves, hook fasteners located alongthe edge of one side flap member, cord-receiving members located alongthe edge of the other side flap member, a cord member attached to saidside flap member containing the cord-receiving members at one endthereof, said cord member being threaded through said cord-receivingmembers to form loop, portions there between, said loops beingengageable with said hook fasteners upon folding of said side flapmembers over said central bed section, and a tightening means forpulling said cord member tight and holding the same upon engagement ofsaid loops with said hook fasteners, said flexible sheet member beingremovable from said frame for placement and securing of a person thereonwithout said frame connected thereto.

2. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cord-receivingmembers are grommets. j

3. A stretcher'device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end flap memberof the flexible sheet has an attachment strap integral therewith andsubstantially perpendicular .to the respective connecting member, eachsaid attachment strap being releasably attached to a separate strapholding member located under and attached to the central bed section,said attachment straps being tightened to tighten said central bedsection lengthwise.

4. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 3 wherein shoulder-restrainingstraps are attached to the upper side of the central bed section of theflexible sheet at one end thereof engageable with first fasteningmembers located on the side flap members and foot-restraining straps areattached to the upper side of said central bed section at the other endthereof engageable with second fastening members located on the side,flap members.

5. A stretcherdevice as claimed in claim 4 wherein the cord-receivingmembers are grommets.

6. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein carrying members areattached to each side at each end of the flexible sheet to assist insupporting the flexible sheet with the frame. removed therefrom and aperson secured therein.

7. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tightening meansfor the cord member is a quick release device through which the cord isdrawn.

8. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end flap memberhas a separate permanently closed loop member attached thereto throughwhich each tubular con'-. necting member is located. :l

9. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein two tighteningstraps are located under and attached to and acrossjfl the central bedsection of the flexible sheet, said tightening-'j straps being placed totake up slack in the sheet above and": below the hips of a personlocated on the sheet.

10. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein securing flaps areattached at one end of the flexible sheet with first? fastening devicesthereon engaging with second fastening devices also located on theflexible sheet, said securing flaps and said first and second fasteningdevices being so placed to allow said flaps to close off the ends ofsaid sheet when rolled up with'collapsed members of said frame stowedtherein and a carrying strap is attached to said flexible sheet forcarrying f said rolled up sheet with the frame members stowed therein.

11. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 5 wherein carry- I ingmembers are attached to each side at each end of the flexible sheet toassist in supporting the flexible sheet with the frame removed therefromand a person secured therein and"? devices also located on the flexiblesheet, said securing flaps and said first and second fastening devicesbeing so placed to allow said flaps to close off the ends of said sheetwhen rolled up with coll'apsed'members of said frame stowed therein anda carrying strap is attached to said flexible sheet for carrying saidrolled up sheet with the frame members stowed therein.

1. A collapsible and portable stretcher device having a rectangulartubular frame with two end frame members and two side frame membersengageable with the end frame members, each of said end frame memberscomprising a tubular connecting member subtended at each end by ahousing member connected thereto, each of said side frame memberscomprising at least two tubular sections releasably connected end toend, said side frame members being releasably connected to said housingmembers to form said rectangular tubular frame, and a flexible sheetforming a bed for said stretcher, said sheet comprising a central bedsection located between said side frame members, a pair of longitudinalsleeves through which said side frame members extend, end flap memberslocated over and attached to said tubular connecting members in said endframe members, two side flap members integral with and located along andoutside each of said longitudinal sleeves, hook fasteners located alongthe edge of one side flap member, cord-receiving members located alongthe edge of the other side flap member, a cord member attached to saidside flap member containing the cord-receiving members at one endthereof, said cord member being threaded through said cord-receivingmembers to form loop portions there between, said loops being engageablewith said hook fasteners upon folding of said side flap members oversaid central bed section, and a tightening means for pulling said cordmember tight and holding the same upon engagement of said loops withsaid hook fasteners, said flexible sheet member being removable fromsaid frame for placement and securing of a person thereon without saidframe connected thereto.
 2. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 1wherein the cord-receiving members are grommets.
 3. A stretcher deviceas claimed in claim 1 wherein each end flap member of the flexible sheethas an attachment strap integral therewith and substantiallyperpendicular to the respective connecting member, each said attachmentstrap being releasably attached to a separate strap holding memberlocated under and attached to the central bed section, said attachmentstraps being tightened to tighten said central bed section lengthwise.4. A stretcher device as claimed in Claim 3 wherein shoulder-restrainingstraps are attached to the upper side of the central bed section of theflexible sheet at one end thereof engageable with first fasteningmembers located on the side flap members and foot-restraining straps areattached to the upper side of said central bed section at the other endthereof engageable with second fastening members located on the sideflap members.
 5. A stretcher device as claimed in claim 4 wherein thecord-receiving members are grommets.
 6. A stretcher device as claimed inclaim 1 wherein carrying members are attached to each side at each endof the flexible sheet to assist in supporting the flexible sheet withthe frame removed therefrom and a person secured therein.
 7. A stretcherdevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein the tightening means for the cordmember is a quick release device through which the cord is drawn.
 8. Astretcher device as claimed in claim 1 wherein each end flap member hasa separate permanently closed loop member attached thereto through whicheach tubular connecting member is located.
 9. A stretcher device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein two tightening straps are located under andattached to and across the central bed section of the flexible sheet,said tightening straps being placed to take up slack in the sheet aboveand below the hips of a person located on the sheet.
 10. A stretcherdevice as claimed in claim 1 wherein securing flaps are attached at oneend of the flexible sheet with first fastening devices thereon engagingwith second fastening devices also located on the flexible sheet, saidsecuring flaps and said first and second fastening devices being soplaced to allow said flaps to close off the ends of said sheet whenrolled up with collapsed members of said frame stowed therein and acarrying strap is attached to said flexible sheet for carrying saidrolled up sheet with the frame members stowed therein.
 11. A stretcherdevice as claimed in claim 5 wherein carrying members are attached toeach side at each end of the flexible sheet to assist in supporting theflexible sheet with the frame removed therefrom and a person securedtherein and two tightening straps are located under and attached to andacross the central bed section of the flexible sheet, said tighteningstraps being placed to take up slack in the sheet above and below thehips of a person located on the sheet.
 12. A stretcher device as claimedin claim 11 wherein securing flaps are attached at one end of theflexible sheet with first fastening devices thereon engaging with secondfastening devices also located on the flexible sheet, said securingflaps and said first and second fastening devices being so placed toallow said flaps to close off the ends of said sheet when rolled up withcollapsed members of said frame stowed therein and a carrying strap isattached to said flexible sheet for carrying said rolled up sheet withthe frame members stowed therein.